Boat propelling device.



No. 704,186. Patented luly 8, I902.

F. J. GLEASUN.

BOAT PBOPELLING DEVICE.

(Application filed Apr. 28, 19b2 (No Model.)

f anvmfoz Q/Qhhwomzo W/ am I W Z 9 flm m I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. GLEASON, OF VANWERT, OHIO.

BOAT PROPELLING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters ?atent N0. 704,186, dated July 8, 1902.

Application filed Apri128, 1902, Serial No. 105,089. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK J. GLEASON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vanwert, in the county of V an W'ert and State of Ohio,haveinvented certain newand usefullmprovements in Boat Propelling Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in propellers for boats,in which the operator may sit facing the direction the boat is traveling and pull upon handles which are connected to the propelling-blades; and it consists in the provision of means whereby the blades are feathered while being drawn forward to be inserted into the water.

The invention consists, further, in various details of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically defined in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this application, and in which drawings similar letters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a boat equipped with propelling means enibodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a boat showing applied thereto one of my propelling-oars, the blade being shown in dotted lines in its feathering position. Fig. 3 is a front view of the propelling-blades shown as attached to the lower end of the pivoted lever.

Reference now being bad to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates a boat having pivoted at opposite sides of the gunwale an operating-lever B, pivoted at B, and to the lower ends of said levers is connected a bar 0, which in turn is pivoted at its opp'o site end to the upper end of an angle-lever E. Each angle-lever is mounted on pivots E and is bent at right angles, as shown, with its forward portion vertically disposed, and pivoted near the lower end of each of said ends is a feathering-blade H,which has two outwardly projecting portions or arms H, which are pivoted on opposite sides of the free end of said angle-lever, and the lower free end of said lever is adapted to form a stop, against which the front face of the blade is adapted to contact while being drawn through and against the water, which backs up against the same while the boat is being propelled.

By the provision of rowing means embody ing my invention it will be observed that the operator faces the way the boat is going, making a reverse-action oar and one which is simple in construction and durable and may be easily applied to any boat.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A rowing mechanism for boats comprising an angle-lever pivoted to the gunwale of a boat, a feathering-blade pivoted to one end of said lever, a pivoted operating-handle, and link connection between the same and said lever, as set forth.

2. A reverse action rowing mechanism com prising in combination with an angle=lever adapted for attachment to the side of a boat,

a feathering bladehavingintegral arms which are pivoted on opposite sides of the free end of said lever, the lower end of the latter adapted to form a stop against which the face of the blade is adapted to contact during the stroke of the oar, the pivotal handle, and link connections between the same and said lever, as set forth. 7

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK J. GLEASONT Witnesses:

A. S. BURT, A. C. GILPIN; 

